Samsung has been banned from selling three models of its Galaxy smartphones in a number of European countries.

The preliminary injunction was handed down by a court in the Netherlands after Apple filed a claim for patent infringement. It claimed that Samsung had copied technology owned by Apple relating to the way photos are displayed on mobile devices. The embargo is due to come into effect in seven weeks.

A district court in the Hague upheld Apple’s claim concerning one specific patent – EP 2059868 – which outlines an interface for viewing and navigating photographs on a touchscreen phone. However, the judge rejected several other patent issues, as well as Apple’s claim that Samsung had stolen many of its design ideas.

The ruling covers the Galaxy S, Galaxy S II and Galaxy Ace models. It does not prohibit sales of the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which had been mentioned in the original lawsuit.